Target for games



Feb. 27, 1962 J. H. BOND 3,023,002

TARGET FOR GAMES Filed March 23, 1961 FIG-.1

l I 'I l l HM FIG.3

INVENTOR. JOHN H. BOND United States Patent ice 3,023,002 TARGET FOR GAMES John H. Bond, 7600 NW. 27th Ave., Miami, Fla. Filed Mar. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 97,962 3 Claims. (Cl. 273-1022) This invention in general relates to games and more particularly to an animated target game responsive to relatively low density missiles.

Prior targets of this general character were insensitive to the impact of low density missiles such as small corks fired from a conventional air gun.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a rotating target which will be stopped upon the relatively light impact of a low density missile against the bulls-eye of the target.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a rotary target having a movable bulls-eye adapted to be displaced by impact for initiating and holding the deenergizing of an electric drive means normally rotating the target.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a target bulls-eye adapted to sensitive displacement for operating an electro-rnechanical means for de-energizing and holding a normally energized target rotating means de-energized.

These and other objects and advantages in one embodiment of the invention are described and shown in the appended specification and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the target device with a portion thereof broken away.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the device, shown FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken through section line 3-3, FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the electric circuit in the device, shown FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a planar frame 1 is secured to a base 2 and circular target disc 3 is journalled for rotation on a bearing member 4 centrally positioned in frame 1 and secured by screw means on a support 5 secured to base 2. An electric motor 6 including a friction drive transmission 7 is engaged with the inner periphery of a rim 8 on the target 3 for rotating same at a predetermined speed when motor 6 is energized.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hub 9 of disc 3 is provided with a bearing it retained by snap ring 11, for rotation on the hollow cylindrical portion of member 4.

A solenoid 12 is supported coaxial with the axis of rotation of disc 3 by brackets 13 and 14 secured to support 5.

The solenoid core consists of a cylindrical paramagnetic cylinder 15 having a diamagnetic extension 16 secured thereto, as shown. A flange 17 on one end of the core serves as a stop to limit the inward motion of the core when the solenoid is energized.

A disc 18 made from dielectric material is coaxially secured to the outer end of the diamagnetic core. A motor control switch 19 comprising blades 20 and 21 is supported on bracket 14 by an insulation column 22. Blade 19 normally bears against disc 18 in closed contact relation with blade 21. A rod 23 is journalled for reciprocation in a coaxial bore through the core 1516 and has secured to the outer end thereof a circular disc providing a bulls-eye for the target 3. A cylindrical cavity 25 in and coaxial with target 3 provides space for the axial movement of the circular bulls-eye disc 24. The inner end of rod 23 terminates in an insulator 26 coaxially secured thereon and retains a holding spring 27 normally inactive when the rod 23 is in rest position, as shown. A holding switch 28 consists of blades 29 3,023,002 Patented Feb. 27, 1962 and 30 also supported by column 22. Blade 29 normally bears against insulator 26 with just sufficient force to overcome the friction afforded by rod 23 in the solenoid core and is normally in open contact relation with blade 30, as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, a conductor 31 is connected to one terminal of a source of electric energy L switch blade 21 and one terminal of solenoid 12. A conductor 32 is connected to switch blade 20 and one terminal of motor 6. A conductor 33 is connected to the remaining terminal of motor 6, blade 28 and one terminal of a master switch 34. A conductor 35 is connected to switch blade 29 and the remaining terminal of solenoid 12. A conductor 36 is connected to the remaining terminal of switch 34 and to one terminal of a source of electric energy L In operation and assuming that the master switch 34 is closed, the motor 6 will rotate the target disc in direction shown by arrow, FIG. 1, and the elements will be positioned as shown in FIG. 3. When the bulls-eye 24 is lightly struck by a missile such as a cork propelled by an air gun and because of the light mass of the disc and rod 23, the resistance ofiered by the switch spring 29 will be overcome and the disc will move into the cavity 25 and simultaneously blade 29 will lightly close with blade 30 thus energizing solenoid 12. When solenoid 12 is energized, the core 15-16 thereof will move rearward and open switch 19 and deenergize motor 6 permitting same to tie-accelerate and stop. Simultaneously, the outer end of the core 16 will compress spring 27 and firmly hold blades 29 and 30 in closed contact position which will hold solenoid 12 energized, as shown in FIG. 2, which position will be maintained until switch 34 is manually opened which will permit all elements to return to rest position as shown in FIG. 3.

It is to be noted that the drive for rotating the target is substantially the same as used for phonograph turntables, but any simple drive such as an ordinary belt connected to an electric motor will suflice.

it is also to be noted that the initiating contacts 29 and 30 should be adjusted in close proximity with each other in order to minimize the travel of rod 23 when the bulls-eye is struck by light missiles. An alternate construction comprehends the rod 17 and the core 15--16 made integral which provides less sensitivity by normal operation of the device when used with missiles of greater density which will strike the bulls-eye with greater force.

It is understood that certain modifications in the above, utilizing the features described, are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A target device for propelled missiles comprising means forming a frame, a circular disc forming a target on the outer face thereof journalled for coaxial rotation in said frame about a substantially horizontal axis, electric drive means operatively associated with said target adapted to rotate same when energized, electric solenoid means secured in said frame centrally adjacent said target with a core therein positioned for coaxial movement along said axis from a rest to an active position, means for normally urging said core into said rest position, a bullseye disc coaxially secured to one end of said core positioned for axial movement in close proximity to the said face of said target, a normally closed electric control switch cooperatively associated with said core for deenergizing said drive means when operated by said core, a normally open hold switch cooperatively associated with said core for energizing said solenoid when operated by said core, a source of electric energy, a circuit means connecting said source of energy said drive means said control switch said holding switch and said solenoid whereby the impact of a missile against said bulls-eye 2. A target device for propelled missiles comprising means forming a frame, a circular disc forming a'target 'On the outer face thereof journalled for coaxial rotation in said frame about a substantially horizontal axis, electric drive means operatively associated with said target adapted to rotate same when energized, electric solenoid 'mally idle spring means biased between said rod and said means secured in said frame centrally adjacent said target with a core therein positioned for coaxial movement along said axis from a rest to an active position, a rod slidably retained for axial movement in a coaxial bore through said core from a rest to a displaced position, a bulls-eye disc coaxially secured to one end of said rod and positioned in close proximity to the said face of said target, urging means for independently urging said core and said rod into their respective rest positions, a normally closed electric control switch cooperatively associated with said core for deenergizing said drive means when operated by said core, a normally open hold switch cooperatively associated with said rod for energizing said solenoid when operated by said disc, a source of electric energy, a circuit means connecting said source of energy said drive means said control switch said holding switch and said solenoid whereby the impact of a missile against said bulls-eye will move said rod and close said holding switch to energize said relay and simultaneously open'said control switch and de-energize said drive means for stopping the rotation of said target.

3. The construction recited in claim 2' including a noreore whereby said core will engage said spring and hold said holding switch in closed position when said solenoid is energized by said holding switch.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,041,259 Ellis Oct. 15, 1912 2,077,001 Moss et al. Apr. 13, 1937 2,586,121 Tilson Feb. 19, 1952 

